“I think the support will be up to par for 2022 and even after”
The Minister for the Sea, Annick Girardin, during the round table with sole fishermen following the announcement of fishing quotas.
Sabine Menet / “South West”
“It was above all a question of discussing specific cases”, comments Annick Girardin who, at the beginning of January, had already announced the implementation of a temporary cessation of fishing activities, from 45 to 90 days, for those who have totaled at least one hundred and twenty days at sea between 1er January 2020 and the date of request for assistance.
The question then arose of boats in dry dock and of new shipowners with no prior turnover. So many scenarios to which the minister responded. “I think the support will be up to par for 2022 and even after,” she says.
Help for auctions
Another question arose regarding the difficulties of the auctions. For that of Arcachon, the sole represents 50% of the turnover of this only Girondin fishing port (ie 5 million euros per year). The mayor, Yves Foulon (LR), speaks of an “economic, human and social” issue.
A message relayed by the LREM deputy for the constituency, Sophie Panonacle who also happens to be the president of the office of the National Council for the Sea and Coastlines (CNML) and who has taken up the cause in this file.
The Minister of the Sea, Annick Girardin, upon her arrival, Friday February 4, at the Arcachon auction. Here with Yves Foulon, the mayor, the sub-prefect Ronan Leaustic and the deputy Sophie Panonacle.
Sabine Menet / “South West”
“The auction call for projects will be released and we will be alongside the Arcachon auction”
Since the European Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) does not provide suitable aid, the minister announced, at the end of the discussions, that 14 million will be devoted to auctions as part of the recovery plan. “The auction call for projects will come out and we will be alongside the Arcachon auction,” she assured.
The issue of the sole is not resolved
On the quays, the minister stayed to discuss with the fishermen. For the shipowner Olivier Mercier, “there is still some vagueness, especially in relation to partial unemployment”. Indeed, the envelope estimated by Europe to compensate professionals following their loss of turnover has been calculated at 25 million euros. “For the 400 licensees of the sole? It is insufficient ! “says Johnny Whal.
The Minister of the Sea, Annick Girardin, at the end of the round table.
Sabine Menet
As for Franck Lalande, the president of the Arcachon Fishermen’s Union, he believes that the sole issue is far from being resolved. “I have been part of the sole working group for twenty-one years. The measures taken today will only take effect in ten years. There are too many boats in relation to the resource and a water quality problem arises, which is not due to overfishing. Ifremer must [l‘Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer, NDLR] leans on it. »